IDENTIFICATION AND ANTIBIOTICS SENSITIVITY OF MICROORGANISMS RETAINED IN BATHROOM TAP ORIFICES AND SHOWER HEADS

ABSTRACT Identification and antibiotic sensitivity of microorganisms retained in bathroom tap orifices and shower heads was carried out using standard microbiological procedures. Swab samples obtained from different household within Ikot Osurua community were analyzed. The results obtained revealed that the total bacterial count ranged from 13cfu/cm2 to 28cfu/cm2 for Sample TO (Tap Orifice) and 14cfu/cm2 to 29cfu/cm2 for Sample SH (Shower Head). The total fungal count ranged from 5cfu/cm2 to 14cfu/cm2 for Sample TO (Tap Orifice) and 3cfu/cm2 to 11cfu/cm2 for Sample SH (Shower Head). The bacteria identified were Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Escherichia, Acinetobacter and Staphylococcus spp. The fungi identified were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Candida spp. Pseudomonas sp. recorded the highest percentage occurrence of (26.4%) followed by Staphylococcus sp. with (21.5%) Bacillus sp. (16.7%), Escherichia sp. (14.6%), Klebsiella sp. (12.5%) while Acinetobacter sp. had the least percentage occurrence of (8.3%) respectively. Penicillium sp. had the highest percentage occurrence of (35.7%) followed by Candida sp. (26.2%), Aspergillus sp. (21.4%) while Fusarium sp. had the least percentage occurrence of (16.7%). The antibiotics susceptibility profile of the bacterial isolates revealed that Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., Escherichia sp. and Klebsiella sp were sensitive to most of the antibiotics tested whileBacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. was most resistant. Most of the isolated bacteria and fungi are capable of causing diseases to humans. Hence, practicing good personal hygiene, routine cleaning of the bathroom surfaces and ensuring prompt repair of water leaks which can help control bacterial persistence and reduce the risk of infection.